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This course provides the background necessary for understanding functional MRI and hands-on instruction in designing and conducting fMRI studies of the human brain, including data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation.

The course provides thorough introductions to the physics of MR signal generation and image encoding, the mechanisms of anatomical and functional contrasts, the physiological basis of the fMRI signals, cerebral hemodynamics, and neurovascular coupling. Basic neuroanatomy, vascular anatomy, and physiology are reviewed.

Human subject issues including informed consent, institutional review board requirements and safety in environments with high magnetic field strengths are presented.

Two lectures per week, one laboratory session per week, and one advanced-topics discussion session per week. Laboratory sessions include fMRI data acquisition sessions at the 3 Tesla MRI scanner at MIT and the Connectom and 7 Tesla scanners at the Martinos Center @ MGH, Charlestown, as well as hands-on data analysis workshops.

Assignments include readings of textbook chapters and primary literature as well as fMRI data analysis in the laboratory sessions. Knowledge of basic probability & statistics and linear algebra required; introductory or college-level neurobiology, physics, and signal processing are helpful.